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Next Lt.-Gov. named

Friday, 27 June 2014 - 1:22pm

THE CANADIAN PRESS

OTTAWA—Elizabeth Dowdeswell, a former undersecretary general of the United Nations with a long public service career, has been named Ontario’s new lieutenant-governor.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced the appointment yesterday, praising Dowdeswell’s “wealth of expertise” and her work promoting sustainable development in Ontario and across the country.

“She has been a senior public servant, worked in government, worked in international organizations and non-governmental organizations, business, and also, most recently, academically-focused organizations,” Harper said as he introduced the new lieutenant-governor.
“So she brings a lot of public-service experience to the job, and we’re delighted that, Liz, that you’ve accepted to do this on behalf of the Crown, on behalf of the people of Ontario.”
Dowdeswell replaces David Onley, who held the position for seven years.
Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne released a statement welcoming the lieutenant-governor-designate, who will be sworn in at a later date.
“Elizabeth Dowdeswell’s remarkable career and accomplishments make her eminently worthy of this honour,” Wynne wrote.
“Dowdeswell has contributed extensively to public and environmental policy,” Wynne noted. “She has impressive experience on the national and international stage.
“Among her numerous executive leadership roles, she was the executive director of the United Nations Environment Program, the first woman to hold that position.”
Dowdeswell currently is president and CEO of the Council of Canadian Academies.
Prior to that, she was the founding president and CEO of the Nuclear Waste Management Organization, and has held various United Nations positions.
Dowdeswell served as a deputy minister of culture and youth in Saskatchewan, and later was assistant deputy minister at Environment Canada.
Dowdeswell was appointed as an officer of the Order of Canada in 2012 and received a Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal in the same year.
Ontario NDP leader Andrea Horwath also issued a statement congratulating Dowdeswell on the appointment.
“I know she will uphold the office with integrity,” Horwath wrote. “Ms. Dowdeswell has an impressive track of public service across Canada and abroad,” she noted.